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The Park Advisory | Exploration | Map | Restcamps | Sections | Statistics | The Park
The Kruger National Park is an enormous nature reserve stretching three hundred and fifty kilometres along the Mozambican border and being sixty kilometres wide on average. On general most of the park exists out of plat grass and bush covered plains. Better known in South Africa as the savanna or bosveld. The border with Moçambique is clear because of the always present Lebombo mountain range that forms a natural barrier. There are a number of rivers flowing from east to west within the park. Being the Limpopo, Luvuvhu, Shingwedzi, Letaba, Olifants, Timbavati, Sabie and Crocodile river from north to south. There are seven entrances to the Kruger National Park. Or gates as they are usually called. Malelane and Crocodile Bridge in the south. The best reachable from Johannesburg the Numbi Gate and Paul Kruger Gate. There are also Orpen, close to Blyde River, Phalaborwa, Punda Maria and Pafuri more north. A possible danger when within the Kruger National Park is the possible threat of malaria. Since the park is located in the lowveld it is important to consult your general practitioner on medication before planning a visit. Some malarial prevention medicine are known to cause serious side effects. Noteworthy also is the fact that there is an airport at Skukuza camp which connects to many of the larger airports within South Africa such as Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban. There are also some exclusive smaller game ranges near the Kruger National Park but usually they do not offer the scenery and wildlife the Kruger National Park has to offer. A bird hideout is planned for latter to improve viewing and make it easier for photographers. So that they will have guaranteed good sighting in the late afternoon. The road passes a giant pod mahogany tree (peulmahonie in Afrikaans) which gave the drive its distinctive name. There is also a beautiful marula tree, protected from elephants by a bed of foot-piercing stones. Two hills in the direct area had significance for the former inhabitants. According to legend, Chief Gumbandevu's daughter was a rainmaker. In times of severe drought farmers would bring her sacrificial animals and gifts. Bearing these offerings, she would go up Gumbandevu Hill to summon rain clouds. At nearby Makahanje Hill is a ruin that was once occupied by a ruler of the same name who, it is told, threw people from this hill into the crocodile infested waters below as punishment for even the most trivial crimes. Makahanje's deeds soon reached the ears of his half-brother, paramount chief of the are, who had him killed. The most exciting area in the north is the Luvuvhu River valley, although it involves a long drive, it is well worth a visit. Of special interest as well is the Thulamela Iron Age site (1250-1670) situated south of the Luvuvhu river. The stone structures have been recovered and resemble Great Zimbabwe remarkably. A two day weather forecast for the Kruger National Park.
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In
this section you can learn more about the Kruger National Park.
Restcamps will be discussed. The three distinct regions (